Bebop Beyond is a repertory ensemble devoted to interpreting works from the modern jazz canon and one of the few working jazz bands that is also a not-for-profit corporation (Benny Carter, Jimmy Heath, and Orrin Keepnews sit on its board of advisors). Founded and led by San Francisco-based tenor saxophonist Mel Martin, the band has, since its inception, concentrated on updates of classic bebop tunes by Charlie Parker, Tadd Dameron, and Charles Mingus. Their record Bebop Beyond Plays Dizzy Gillespie was the trumpet innovator's final studio date. ~ Chris Kelsey, Rovi